He received state handouts during a period when he claims he was unfit to work due to a serious shoulder injury that needed surgery.

Cleared over the murder at an appeal in 2002, when Derbyshire Police accepted "significant and substantial" breaches of the Judges' Rules over his alleged confession, he has struggled to cope with a world he left when he was a 17-year-old cemetery worker.

Mrs Sewell was the victim of a frenzied attack at the graveyard where Mr Downing worked. He found her and called for help but was arrested and charged with her murder.

After being acquitted, he received compensation and bought a pension annuity and a house in Bakewell, opposite his parents.

He also gave them funds to cover their expenses for the campaign they ran to free him.

His father has since died and Mr Downing now looks after his frail mother Juanita, 80, who recently returned home after a stroke.

Mr Downing said: "I'm living on benefits. It's totally humiliating - I still feel like a prisoner.

"It's hopeless, there are no jobs and what chance do I have at my age?

"I am being victimised. Despite being cleared, I still can't get a job because I've been in prison. They forget I spent 28 years in jail for a crime I didn't commit."

“He claims the benefits row blew up after the Daily Star Sunday revealed an important report relating to his case”

He claims the benefits row blew up after the Daily Star Sunday revealed an important report relating to his case.

We told you how ex-detective Chris Clarke had unearthed the original pathologists' report on Mrs Sewell which pointed to someone other than Mr Downing as the killer.

Mr Downing said: "It's said the police buried evidence that could have cleared my name.

"I contacted Chris Clarke. I will support him." Mr Downing said he had taken a temporary part-time job at a fish and chip shop as part of a Jobseekers scheme but that will soon end.

He added: "This claim is ridiculous. If I had any money I wouldn't be claiming benefits - and I wouldn't be working my socks off in a chip shop.

"I now have to attend court in Chesterfield on Friday.

"I had a serious accident trying to fix a driveway light and badly injured my shoulder.

"I had an operation last May but I am still in constant pain and live on painkillers.

"The council don't believe my injury but I have the scars to prove it and obtained sick notes each week.

"I can't get legal aid and local solicitors charge a one-off consultation fee of £180. I can't afford it.

"I used to be on income support of £71.70 per week, which changed to Jobseekers' Allowance of £54 per week. But they even reduced this because I bought a pension annuity.